Author: Greg Madatian

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
October 29, 2004, Friday
Ajedrez: Oro para Ucrania, delante de Rusia y Armenia
Calvia (Espana), 29 oct
Ucrania, el unico pais imbatido en todo el torneo, se proclamo hoy
campeon olimpico de ajedrez con 39,5 puntos. La medalla de plata fue
para Rusia, defensora del titulo, y la de bronce para Armenia, que
repite su hazana de hace dos anos en Bled.

En la decimocuarta y ultima ronda de la 36 Olimpiada de Calvia,
Ucrania derroto a Francia por 3-1 y aventajo en 3,0 puntos a sus dos
rivales, que terminaron ambos con 36,5 puntos. Rusia se llevo la

plata por una minima diferencia tras aplicarse el sistema de
desempate Buchholz -se suman los puntos obtenidos por los rivales con
los que uno ha jugado y quien tenga mayor numero, gana-.

El ingrato cuarto lugar fue para Estados Unidos (35,0), seguido de
Israel (34,5), India (34,0) y Cuba, en septimo lugar con 33,5,
Holanda (33,0), Bulgaria 32,5 y Espana A, en decimo lugar con 32,5
puntos.

En categoria femenina, China reedito su triunfo de Bled hace dos anos
triunfando con 31,0 puntos, seguida de Estados Unidos (38,0) y Rusia
con 27,5 puntos.

Resultados de la ultima ronda:

Ucrania – Francia 3-1 Espana A – Finlandia 3,5-0,5 Rusia – China 3-1
Armenia – Georgia 3,5-0,5 Israel – Cuba 2-2 India – Bulgaria 2,5-1,5
EEUU – Noruega 3,5-0,5 Azerbeiyan- Grecia 1,5-2,5 Polonia – Alemania
2-2

Argentina – Bielorrusia 1,5-2,5 Espana B – Australia 1,5-2,5 Espana C
– Luxemburgo 2-2 Mexico – Estonia 1-3 Chile – Suecia 2,5-1,5 Ecuador
– Brasil 2-2 Venezuela – Sudafrica 1-3 Colombia – Tailandia 3,5-0,5
Peru – Uruguay 3-1 Andorra – Tunez 2,5-1,5 Nicaragua – Bolivia 1-3
Rep. Dom. – Gales 3,5-0,5 Guatemala – Kirgistan 1,5-2,5 Costa Rica-
Honduras 2,5-1,5 Paraguay – Botswana 2,5-1,5 Jamaica – Irak 1-3 P.
Rico – Libia 2,5-1,5 Panama – Nepal 2-2

Categoria femenina:

China – Eslovaquia 2-1 Rusia – Francia 2-1 EEUU – Vietnam 2,5-0,5
Zsusa Polgar Ucrania – Georgia 2,5-0,5 Holanda – Hungria 2-1 Espana A
– Espana B 1,5-1,5 India – Inglaterra 1-2 Polonia – Rumania 2-1
Bulgaria – Suecia 1,5-1,5 Alemania – Cuba 2-1

Argentina – Bielorrusia 1,5-1,5 Peru – Letonia 0-3 Colombia – Gales
2-1 Brasil – Croacia 1-2 Ecuador – Uzbekistan 0-3 Venezuela – Austria
2-1 Mexico – Sri Lanka 2,5-0,5 Guatemala – Rep. Dom. 2,5-0,5 Bolivia
– Japon 2,5-0,5 Costa Rica- Honduras 2,5-0,5 P. Rico – I.Virgenes
EEUU 3-0

dpa to gs
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/26/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Kocharian Pleased with International Community's Attention to Stability in South Caucasus 2) Human Rights Report May End Up in Court 3) Turkish Foreign Minister Sees 10-Year Accession Process as Realistic 4) Georgia Disagrees with Russia's Assessment of Regional Conflicts 5) Gorky's Pirate I Sells for 1,949,969 euros at Paris Auction 6) Armenia's Men at Third 1) Kocharian Pleased with International Community's Attention to Stability in South Caucasus YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--President Robert Kocharian provided the history and the current developments in the Mountainous Karabagh conflict settlement process during his meeting with members of the joint mission of the German Marshall Fund of the US (GMF) and the Project on Transitional Democracies (PTD). Noting that a resolution to the Karabagh problem is important both to Armenia and the entire region, Kocharian said, "It is appreciated that the problem is getting the attention of various centers and individuals of expertise, and there is certain interest to study it more deeply in order to become acquainted with details on the spot." The President pointed to the significance of the international community's focus on establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus, evidenced by the GMF/PTD joint mission there. Armenia's foreign policy, relations with the neighboring countries, and the country's economic development were also discussed. The German Marshall Fund of the United States is an American public policy and grant making institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between the United States and Europe. All GMF activities are organized within three principal program areas: transatlantic policy, transatlantic leadership, and wider Europe. Founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. The Project on Transitional Democracies was established in 2002 to facilitate the democratic transformation of Europe's new post-1989 democracies and educate key decision-makers and the political leadership of the countries in transition. 2) Human Rights Report May End Up in Court The controversial report by the Prime Ministry's Human Rights Advisory Board was rejected by senior officials, who denied it was commissioned by the government. (NTV-MSNBC)--A report on ethnic minorities in Turkey, released by an advisory body linked to the office of the Turkish Prime Minister, may end up in court, with one member of the Human Right Advisory Board saying he has applied for its authors to be prosecuted. Fethi Bolayir, a member of the board, said on Monday that the report attacked the national and spiritual values of the republic. Bolayir, who is also the chairman of Social Thinking Association, described the report as a "a document of treason" and called for legal action to be taken against those involved in preparing it. Issued last week, the report recommends greater recognition be given to ethnic minorities in Turkey. Currently, only three ethnic minorities--the Jews, Armenians, and Greeks--are officially recognized. But Bolayir stressed the report disregards the Laussane Treaty, the international treaty that established the status of minorities in Turkey. "If this report--which suggests that the unchangeable articles of the constitution that limits minority and cultural rights, be changed--then what is it, if not a document of treason," he said. Bolayir also stressed that his organization supports ridding of injustices, corruption, and poverty, but not the division of the Turkish Republic. He revealed that of the 30 members of the board, seven voted against the report, and that changes in the section covering minorities were made without the knowledge of certain members, thus a clearly abuse of office and breach of confidence. Chairman of the board Ibrahim Kaboglu, said the report had been submitted to the Prime Ministry, but government officials denied having anything to do with the report. 3) Turkish Foreign Minister Sees 10-Year Accession Process as Realistic PRAGUE (AFP)--Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that he believed it would take his country around 10 years to join the European Union once negotiations got under way. Speaking during a visit to the Czech Republic, Gul said fulfilling the criteria for accession would not be easy. "First we need a clear-cut date for accessions to start. We know the negotiation period is not easy, particularly for big countries. And we know as a big country that it will take longer, maybe 10 years," he told a press conference. "But it depends on our performance when we fulfill the criteria and when we close the chapters," he added. The EU summit is due to decide in December whether to adopt the European Commission's recommendation and give the green light to launching accession talks with Ankara. Gul's Czech counterpart Cyril Svoboda said the Czech government believed the Commission's assessment of Turkey was "fair." "The Czech Republic has made clear that it supports Turkey launching negotiations and that it is right to launch the process," he told journalists. During Gul's visit, the two countries agreed to work to cancel visa requirements in the very near future. 4) Georgia Disagrees with Russia's Assessment of Regional Conflicts TBILISI (Itar-Tass)--In response to a statement by Russia's foreign ministry regarding the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Georgian Foreign Ministry disagreed with Russia's assessment, saying, "Today, Russia is trying again to justify the separatist regimes in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and shift the blame to the Georgian side." The Russian Foreign Ministry statement read, "Russia favors a political and peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia; these conflicts have resulted from minority rights violations that have not allowed the preservation of national identity and autonomy within the sovereign Georgian state." The Georgian Foreign Ministry responded by saying, "The Russian side is either not fully informed about the history of these conflicts in Abhkazia and South Ossetia or does not want to recognize objective facts." 5) Gorky's Pirate I Sells for 1,949,969 euros at Paris Auction PARIS--Arshile Gorky's 1942 work Pirate I sold for 1,949,969 euros during the first day of a three day auction in Paris on October 5. The estimated price of the work was 1.4-1.6 million euros, the highest estimated price for any single item in the sale. Pirate I was part of the massive private collection of New York art dealer Julien Levy, in whose gallery Gorky had a number of shows in the 1940s. Also in that collection was Gorky's 1946 work Sans Titre, estimated at 50-60,000 euros, which sold for 98,672 euros. Gorky's 1942 piece Pirate II, estimated at 1,100,000-1,300,000 euros, was purchased for 1,149,500 euros during session two of the auction. Among the more than 800 paintings and drawings on the auction bloc were four paintings and eleven drawings by Gorky, a few of which are barely known to the public. The auction sale by François Tajan, who is among the most famous of Paris auctioneers, included works by Hans Arp, Dali, Toulouse-Lautrec, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernest, Fini, Lichtenstein, Magritte, Man Ray, Matta, Naguchi, and Tanguy. 6) Armenia's Men at Third After 11 rounds of competitions at the 36th Chess Olympiad in Mallorca, Spain, Armenia kept its third position intact with an easy 2.5-1.5 victory over Switzerland and moved to 29 points just behind Russia and the Ukraine, which holds first place. Rafael Vahanyan won his match, while Vladimir Hacopyan, Levon Aronyan, Gabriel Sarkissian all drew theirs. After beating United States 2.5-1.5, Russia remained in second place, and now trail Ukraine by 2.5 points, while Israel stands fourth on 28 after comprehensively beating Azerbaijan 3-1. Armenia's women Elina Danielian, Lilit Mkrtchian, Nelly Aginian, and Siranush Andriasian are in the 14th spot, with China at first, followed by Georgia and the US. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. --Boundary_(ID_JaQCTxUqMTosmxBmHiYoHw)-- From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian president appoints new “economic competition” boss
A1+ web site
19 Oct 04
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan yesterday signed a decree
terminating early the powers of Feliks Pirumyan, chairman of the
Armenian state commission for the protection of economic competition,
at his own request.
Under another presidential decree, Ashot Shahnazaryan was appointed as
chairman of the Armenian state commission for the protection of
economic competition, for a five-year term.

ArmenPress
Oct 19 2004
KOCHARIAN MEETS CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS: President Kocharian received
today the visiting foreign minister of China Lee Jaosin and members
of the Chinese delegation. Kocharian’s press service said the foreign
minister conveyed to Kocharian the greetings of the Chinese president
Hu Zintao. The minister also said China gives great importance to
developing diverse relations with Armenia and appreciates highly
Kocharian’s personal contributions to boosting bilateral ties.
Kocharian in turn voiced his satisfaction with the growing
cooperation with China. According to the Armenian president, the
absence of political problems between the two nations provides them
with good development prospects. Kocharian also singled out China’s
and Armenia’s close cooperation within international organizations,
saying both have virtually the same positions on many key issues.
China’s foreign minister discussed economic cooperation with prime
minister Andranik Margarian, who underscored high-level exchange
visits for enhancing bigger trade between the two countries. Among
priority areas the two mentioned chemistry, energy and agriculture.
Other areas of possible cooperation include science, technology,
education and culture, health and tourism. Noting with satisfaction
the growth in bilateral trade circulation during the first quarter of
the running year, the Chinese FM reaffirmed Chinese determination to
make large scale investment in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FACTORS OF POTENTIAL INSTABILITY OBSERVED IN CAUCASIAN REGION
ALONGSIDE WITH POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT: FORIEGN MINISTERS OF ITALY AND
AZERBAIJAN
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7. ARMINFO. Factors of potential instability are
observed in the Caucasian region alongside with positive
development. Foriegn Ministers of Italy and Azerbaijan, Franco
Frattini and Elmar Mamedyarov, made such a statement during their
meeting in Rome yesterday, Day. Az reports, referring to the Italian
Foriegn Ministry.
According to the information spread by the Italian Foriegn Ministry,
the visit of the Azerbaijani FM is within the framework of the
implementation of a policy of strengthened dialogue with the Caucasian
states, which was initiated by Franco Frattini in June, 2004 in
Tbilisi. It will be continued in the course of the forthcoming visit
of Armenian Foreign Minister to Rome within the coming weeks. The
recent decision by the EU to expand its policy of new neighborhood in
the Caucasian region considerably strengthens the relations of the
countries of this region and the European continent. It is another
stimulus for Italy to intensify its bilateral relations as well, the
Italian Foriegn Ministry reports.

Azeri ruling party official criticizes NATO for cancelling Baku war games
Sarq, Baku
15 Sep 04
Text of Yadigar’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Sarq on 15 September
headlined “NATO has shown disrespect for the Azerbaijani public” and
subheaded “Ali Ahmadov: The cancellation of exercises is a glaring
example of the fact that NATO practices double standards”
The executive secretary of the NAP [ruling New Azerbaijan Party], MP
Ali Ahmadov, has described as disrespect for the Azerbaijani public
the cancellation of the NATO exercises, which were scheduled to take
place in Azerbaijan, because of Armenian servicemen.
“One would think that as a body interested in cooperation with
Azerbaijan and simultaneously in maintaining peace and security in
the world, NATO would decide to hold this event without Armenian
officers showing respect for the opinion of the Azerbaijani
people. Unfortunately, a different thing happened.”
Ahmadov thinks that this is a glaring example showing that NATO sticks
to double standards. As for this decision’s great damages to the sides,
Ahmadov said that “NATO is expanding its borders and undoubtedly this
body is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan”.
“Azerbaijan is also interested in cooperation with NATO. I think
there was no need to take hasty steps to prevent cooperation built
up on the basis of mutual interests. Truly, NATO has repeatedly
stated that Azerbaijan expects certain assistance from NATO in the
Nagornyy Karabakh settlement. This might be linked to NATO’s internal
regulations and tasks. But I would like to clarify one issue. If an
act of aggression takes place and any organization, including NATO,
does not mention this and name the aggressor country, then this means
to some extent support for aggression and the aggressor. Unfortunately,
NATO has demonstrated that it does not want to play an active role in
the Nagornyy Karabakh settlement and does not admit who the aggressor
is. This means support for the aggressor,” he said.
The MP thinks that the future will show whether the taken step was
correct.
“However, I do not believe that this step will seriously influence
ties between NATO and Azerbaijan. I assume that the arising situation
will be investigated by the sides and the necessary steps will be
taken to develop cooperation.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/04/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Montana's Burns Becomes 40th Senate Supporter of Human Rights Measure 2) Press Undermined in Azerbaijan, Reports Human Rights Watch 3) Russian Lawmaker under Fire in Conflict Zone 4) Azeri Official Declares Armenia Will be Azerbaijan's in Coming Decades 1) Montana's Burns Becomes 40th Senate Supporter of Human Rights Measure WASHINGTON, DC--Montana Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) agreed this week to cosponsor the Genocide Resolution, S.Res.164, bringing the number of US Senators supporting this human rights measure to forty, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). "I am proud to join with 39 of my Senate colleagues in support of S.Res.164," said Senator Burns in a statement to the ANCA. "This legislation stresses the importance of remembering and learning the lessons of past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future atrocities. Silence in the face of genocide only encourages those who would commit such atrocities in the future--a legacy which we cannot afford to pass on to our children." "Armenian Americans, in Montana and across the United States, join in thanking Senator Burns for his principled stand in defense of the fundamental right of all people to live free from the terrors of genocide," said ANCA-Western Region Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian, who traveled to Montana in late July to meet with members of the state's Congressional delegation, along with local community activist Yedvart Tchakerian. "We have been very encouraged, in recent months, by the increasing effectiveness of our grassroots outreach in the Northern Plain states, with Senators from Montana and both North and South Dakota supporting the Genocide Resolution, and the governors of Idaho, Nebraska, and Montana issuing proclamations commemorating the Armenian Genocide." The Genocide Resolution marks the 15th anniversary of the US implementation of the Genocide Convention and reaffirms the commitment of the American people to this landmark treaty. It specifically cites the importance of applying the lessons of past genocides in order to make the world safe from future genocides. Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) introduced this measure in June of last year. Its companion measure in the US House, H.Res.193, led by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee last May and currently has 111 cosponsors. On July 15th, the US House passed an amendment, authored by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), which prohibited the government of Turkey from using US foreign aid dollars to lobby against the Genocide Resolution. Support for the Genocide Resolution has been widespread outside of Congress as well, with a diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human rights organizations calling for its passage, including American Values, National Organization of Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of La Raza. For information about Senator Burns, who serves on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, visit: <; 2) Press Undermined in Azerbaijan, Reports Human Rights Watch NEW YORK (HRW)-Azerbaijan's government should act now to stop the deterioration of press freedom underway since the October presidential elections, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. Azeri authorities have failed to prosecute police responsible for attacks on journalists, imposed crippling damages in civil defamation suits, and manipulated resources to pressure independent or opposition media outlets. "The political crackdown that followed last year's election has had a lasting, harmful effect on press freedom in Azerbaijan, said Rachel Denber, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia division. "The government can reverse this by finally acknowledging that police have used excessive force against journalists covering demonstrations, and also by capping the crippling damages often levied in defamation suits." Azerbaijan's October presidential election, which the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe called "fraudulent," led to massive street demonstrations and excessive police violence to quell them. In the aftermath of the violence, the government then unleashed a crackdown against the political opposition and the independent and opposition media. Rapporteurs from the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly are scheduled to arrive in Azerbaijan today to examine Azerbaijan's compliance with its commitments and obligations to the Council of Europe. The 18-page briefing paper, based on interviews in Azerbaijan with journalists, editors, government officials and media rights groups, details how the security forces attacked journalists during the demonstrations. While not a single security agent was held responsible, the authorities filed charges against an opposition activist who allegedly assaulted a pro-government reporter during a demonstration. A journalist for an independent wire service who was beaten by police at one of the demonstrations was subpoenaed to testify in court, but as a witness for the prosecution against opposition members accused of the post-election violence. His testimony about police severely beating him did not lead to any action against those responsible. "Impunity for police violence against journalists gives police a green light to use violence again," said Denber. Among those currently on trial for organizing the street demonstrations is Rauf Arifoglu, editor-in-chief of a leading opposition newspaper, Yeni Musavat. Human Rights Watch is calling for his immediate release pending the outcome of his trial. The Azeri government abolished pre-publication censorship in 1998, but has since then imposed considerable informal restrictions on the media, which have sharpened since last year's election. Government officials or those closely connected to the government are invariably the plaintiffs in civil defamation suits against independent or opposition media. Prohibitive fines imposed on these outlets have forced them to suspend publication, suggesting that the courts aimed primarily to cripple or close them. Television media is overwhelmingly pro-government. The Human Rights Watch briefing paper describes how the government informally manipulates private broadcast media, newspaper-distribution networks and printing presses, and blocks access to information for journalists working for the independent press. "Taken together, these are methods of control and intimidation, aimed at setting unreasonable restrictions on media content without resorting to formal censorship," said Denber. Since the election, the Azeri government has taken some measures to rectify abuses against journalists. On a joint initiative with the Press Council, a nongovernmental umbrella group, it established a permanent commission to prevent and resolve conflict between media representatives and the authorities. "The establishment of the permanent council is a welcome step, but it falls far short of what's needed to promote a free and independent media in Azerbaijan," said Denber. Human Rights Watch called on the Azerbaijan's government to ensure the founding of a genuinely independent public television station, abolish criminal libel, introduce caps on civil libel suits and prosecute those responsible for attacks on journalists. The briefing paper, Azerbaijan: Media, the Presidential Elections and the Aftermath, can be found at 3) Russian Lawmaker under Fire in Conflict Zone (Civil Georgia/Itar Tass)--Georgian Deputy Security Minister Gigi Ugulava refuted on August 4, reports that Georgian troops fired on Andrei Kokoshin, who chairs the Russian Duma's Committee for CIS affairs. According to the spokesman for South Ossetia Special Functions Ministry, the incident took place in the South Ossetian conflict area, near the village of Sarabuk. Pliyev said the car was attacked by Georgia. "According to the information available to us, the passengers in the car--Andrei Kokoshin and the co-chairmen of the Joint Control Commissions are alive," he stated. After the car came under fire, Georgian interior troops stationed in conflict zone heavily shelled Sarabuk. The village was fired on from a detour road. There have been no reports of civilian casualties, the spokesman said. Georgia refuted the accounts saying that the Ossetian side opened fire "in the direction of the Georgian peacekeepers, and the Georgian side responded to it," Ugulava told a press briefing. "This will always happen in case of an attack." "I declare with full responsibility, this was a provocation masterminded by the Ossetian side," Ugulava said, adding that had Georgia been notified of Kokoshin's visit to the breakaway region, it would have ensured his security. Meanwhile Interfax reported that the Georgian navy is ready to obey President Mikheil Saakashvili's order to prevent any vessel--except those on humanitarian missions--from entering territorial waters near the self- proclaimed republic of Abkhazia, Koba Bochorishvili, commander of the Poti marine division of the Georgian coast guard service, said on Wednesday. "We did receive the president's order that vessels that have violated the border should be stopped in territorial waters near the Abkhaz coasts and that fire should be opened on them if they disobey orders," Bochorishvili said. This warning also applies to passenger boats that could travel from Sochi to Sukhumi, he said. "Fire should be opened on all vessels that enter the Sukhumi port without the Georgian authorities' agreement. They should be sunk," the Georgian president said at a news conference on Tuesday. The Russian Foreign Minister reacted sharply on Wednesday in a statement that said any attempts to inflict damage or infringe the lives of Russian citizens "will be adequately rebuffed." "Official Tbilisi has taken an unprecedented step," the ministry stated. "This warning is addressed also to Russian tourists who make excursion trips by sea from Sochi to Novy Afon and Sukhumi." 4) Azeri Official Declares Armenia Will be Azerbaijan's in Coming Decades BAKU (RFE/RL)--Armenia will cease to exist as an independent state and its territory will be incorporated into Azerbaijan over the next three decades, a senior Azerbaijani military official was quoted as saying, taking anti-Armenian rhetoric in Baku to new heights. "Within the next 25-years there will exist no state of Armenia in the South Caucasus," Colonel Ramiz Melikov, the chief spokesman for Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, said, according to the Baku daily "Zerkalo." "Those people have done so many nasty things to their neighbors that they have no right to live in this region." "Modern Armenia is built on historical Azerbaijani lands," he added. "I think that in 25-30 years' times its territory will again come under Azerbaijan's jurisdiction." Melikov was quoted in an extensive "Zerkalo" article that called on the Azerbaijani government to promptly restart the war with the Armenians and win back Mountainous Karabagh. The Azeri leadership regularly threatens to do just that, complaining about the international community's reluctance to end Armenian control of the disputed region. The most recent such threat came from President Ilham Aliyev last week. "Zerkalo" said Azeri military officials believe that their troops are prepared for renewed hostilities and that "the upcoming war will not be long-lasting." "Today the personnel of the Azerbaijani armed forces is not the one that existed ten years ago," Melikov said. "We substantially exceed Armenia with the size of the population and the number of soldiers. Soon the entire world will recognize Armenia as an aggressor country. That is why Armenia is now on the brink of defeat." Armenia has repeatedly dismissed such statements from Baku, saying that Azerbaijan would have long resumed the war without a warning had it been confident of victory. But its reaction to Aliyev's latest threats was unusually sharp, with the Armenian Foreign Ministry warning Azerbaijan of "disastrous consequences." The armed forces of Mountainous Karabagh Republic, on Tuesday, began a ten-day military exercise which officials say will test their combat-readiness during "defensive and counter-offensive operations." The war games followed a call-up of army reservists and will involve the use of live ammunition. Just last week "Zerkalo" quoted an unnamed Western diplomat in Baku as saying that the Azeri society and army are not prepared for war and that the West does not take its government's threats seriously. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Interfax
July 23 2004
American ambassador upbeat on Armenian-U.S. cooperation
Yerevan. (Interfax) – U.S. ambassador to Armenia John Ordway has
expressed optimism over the future of his country’s cooperation with
Armenia.
The quick pace at which relations are developing is the result of the
situation in Armenia and the region as a whole, as well as
international processes, Ordway told a news conference in Yerevan on
Thursday.
The United States plans to continue working with the Armenian
authorities to help them carry out democratic reforms and strengthen
the country’s economy, he said.
The construction in Armenia of the largest U.S. embassy in the world
has proved that Washington views its relations with Yerevan as stable
and long-term, Ordway said.
The U.S. will continue its assistance to the Armenian armed forces,
the ambassador said, adding that Armenia is on the road towards
participation in the peacekeeping operation in Iraq.
Commenting on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ordway said the time has
come for the conflict to be resolved. Resuming hostilities would have
a devastating impact on Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the entire
region, he said. The ambassador expressed hopes that the conflict
will be settled within the next few years.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Anadolu Agency
July 20 2004
Erdogan: We Want A Date For Opening Of Accession Talks With E.U.
PARIS – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday,
”Turkey wants a date not for full membership, but for opening of
accession talks with the European Union (EU).”
Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently paying a state visit to
France, met members of the French Parliamentary Foreign Affairs
Commission.
During the meeting, Erdogan informed members of the commission on
historical development of the bilateral relations between Turkey and
France.
Upon a question about Turkey’s EU membership process, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”Turkey wants a date not for full membership, but for
opening of accession talks with the EU.”
Referring to recent developments in Iraq, Prime Minister Erdogan
said, ”Turkey has always advocated that Iraq’s territorial integrity
should be protected, and none of ethnical groups in the country
should be allowed to be dominant over another.”
Upon a question about so-called Armenian genocide, Prime Minister
Erdogan said, ”it is an issue with which historians should deal. As
politicians, we are obliged to build the future instead of discussing
such issues. Armenian diaspora has been trying to keep the so-called
Armenian genocide high on agenda. In fact, it is not beneficial for
Armenia at all. The bilateral relations between Turkey and Armenia
cannot be improved as long as such campaigns continue. If they put an
end to their campaign of defamation against Turkey, border gates
between Turkey and Armenia may be opened.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkish Press
July 19 2004
Turkish P.M. Hopes For Continued French Backing For E.U. Bid
AFP: 7/19/2004
PARIS, July 19 (AFP) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said Monday that his country wanted France to continue to back its
bid to become a member of the European Union, an ambition that will
enter a critical phase at the end of this year.
“In this area of course we want all the backing that France has
brought to us, and in particular through President (Jacques) Chirac,
to continue in the future,” he told reporters after meeting his
French counterpart Jean-Pierre Raffarin at the start of a three-day
visit to France.
A crucial period is approaching for Turkey’s application bid, with
the European Commission due to give its opinion in October on a
possible opening of negotiations, followed by a decision in December
by European leaders on whether enough progress has been made towards
the EU’s reform demands.
“On European questions, the Turkish Prime Minister outlined to me all
the reform efforts undertaken by his country to meet the … criteria
laid down by the EU,” Raffarin said.
“We shall study with the greatest attention the report of the
Commission this autumn and we want the European Council to take a
decision in December on this important issue,” he added.
“We have a large number of common points of view on international
matters.”
Other subjects discussed included cultural links between the two
countries. About 400,000 Turks live in France who, in Erdogan’s view,
“should be a bridge between the two nations.” About the same number
of French tourists visited Turkey last year and the total is expected
to rise to 600,000 this year.
Industrial cooperation was also discussed.
The prime minister, whose Justice and Development Party (AKP) has
Islamist origins, is due to lunch with Chirac Tuesday after a meeting
with business leaders. He will also see the heads of the three main
political parties before leaving Wednesday.
Erdogan is expected to use the French visit to build up support in
the European country which has seen probably the most heated public
debate over the suitability for the EU of a predominantly Muslim,
albeit secular nation.
While Chirac has indicated in recent speeches that he now regards
Ankara’s progress to EU membership as “irreversible” and spoken of
its “historic and very ancient European vocation”, many in his own
government are deeply opposed to its accession.
In addition opinion polls indicate that a majority of the population
is against Turkey’s admission to the 25-nation body.
“The opposition comes in various forms: fear of Islam and immigrants
at one end, fear of seeing Europe dissolve into a vast free-trade
zone for others,” said Eddy Fougier of French Institute for
International Relations (IFRI).
France also has a large Armenian community of some 450,000 people,
whose pressure in 2001 secured the official recognition by the French
parliament of the Armenian genocide. This remains a highly
contentious issue between Ankara and Paris.
The opposition Socialist party said Monday it supports Turkish entry
“as long as the accession criteria are respected,” but both Chirac’s
ruling Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) and its junior partner the
Union for French Democracy (UDF) are sceptical.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress